Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Mum’s cancer care plea
£20k appeal for life-saving medicine
A MUM who battled for better cancer treatment is at the centre of a desperate plea for help.
Co Down, has been fighting terminal breast cancer battle for four-and-a-half years, but last month was told her chances of NHS treatment are now over. However, she has revealed there is a drug specialists believe will help – but it is not available here. Costing around £20,000 it is available privately and Maggie Muff writer Leesa Harker has decided to help. She said: “I met Melanie when we were getting treatment for breast cancer and we hit it off. She was a huge support throughout treatment and recovery. I am now cancer-free and I feel well and I’m busy writing fulltime and being a mum to my two girls. “But Melanie’s future looks gloomy. Her only chance to stay alive is to be treated with Kadcyla. “She had fought for her own health for years and Melanie has also put all her efforts into fighting for other people, supporting them, pushing to get them treatments. “Melanie had given so many people so much help over the years. She has been refused Kadcyla and without further care, is facing the end. “So I decided to help and I feel sure many other people will help me do that. “I need to raise about £22,000. That’s a lot to save a life, save a mother of two young children aged, 15 and five” Melanie explained: “I have kept quiet not wanting to overshadow my son’s 16th birthday but unfortunately he will have to go into doing his GCSES knowing our wee family’s future is very uncertain. “I’ve come to the conclusion that I just can’t leave my children yet. “So after taking advice, soul searching and prayer I have been convinced the best way forward is to crowdfund to pay privately for the drug I need in the hope that if it works the health department will take over paying for it. “The thought of having to beg for my life has had me in constant tears but the thought of leaving my children without a mother is all the more heartbreaking. There is nothing more I can do.”